Animal Shelters
Focus Question: Who is responsible for the humane care and welfare of homeless animals?
Photo credit: Animal House by Olga Kay is licensed under CC by 2.0
Students identify the mission and needs of animal shelters, both private and municipal. Learners will plan and implement a service project to aid a shelter. They will demonstrate their knowledge about animal shelters by sharing their knowledge with their peers.
Animal shelters have many areas of concern but the mission of all shelters is to care for and place homeless animals. They rely on donations from the public to do their important work. Municipal shelters are funded by the municipality-- but are often underfunded. They often have non-profit arms that are funded by donations. This lesson is designed to give the learners a better understanding of what an animal shelter is, how it operates and how it provides a service for animals as well as the community and the common good. Learners will also develop a better understanding of what they can do to help.
Animal shelters rely on donations from the public to do their important work. Municipal shelters are funded by the municipality but are often underfunded. They often have non-profit arms that are funded by donations. This lesson will explore how these facilities are funded and the various services shelters provide for the community (spay & neutering, foster care for animals, educational programs, rehabilitating abused animals, microchip identification, advocacy for animal welfare).
The learners will be introduced to the concepts of philanthropy, common good, volunteer and donate. Animal shelters need many volunteers and many items donated to help their organization run smoothly. Learners will participate in deciding what they wish to do in order to help the local shelter.
This lesson will allow learners to voice their thoughts on and reflect on this unit, the activities contained in it, and their animal welfare service project. They will have an opportunity to share their new knowledge with their peers, family members and other adults.